June 23rd 2024.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken a significant step towards investigating the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) that was held on May 5. This move came after the Union education ministry referred the matter to the CBI, amidst widespread protests and legal action by students demanding a thorough investigation into the claims of paper leaks.
According to officials, the ministry filed a complaint, which is now part of the FIR, stating that there were "certain isolated incidents" during the exam in a few states. The CBI has formed special teams and they are currently en route to Godhra and Patna, where police have registered cases of paper leaks. The agency plans to take over the investigation of these cases from the state police.
An official stated that steps are being taken to transfer the cases registered by the state police to the CBI. This action by the CBI came after the education ministry announced that they would hand over the probe to the central agency, which was a demand raised by protesting students.
A spokesperson for the CBI stated that the ministry has requested for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged irregularities, including conspiracy, cheating, impersonation, breach of trust, and destruction of evidence. They also added that the role of public servants, if any, connected with the exam will also be scrutinized.
The agency has registered a fresh case against unidentified persons under various IPC sections, including 120-B and 420. A senior education ministry official had earlier stated that there were reports of irregularities, cheating, impersonation, and malpractice during the NEET-UG exam. This led to a decision to hand over the matter to the CBI for a transparent investigation.
The allegations of irregularities sparked protests, litigation, and a political controversy, with the opposition accusing the government of playing with the future of students. Ten aspirants have approached the Supreme Court, seeking a CBI and ED investigation into the matter. They have also requested the Bihar Police to expedite the investigation and submit a report to the apex court.
In a separate matter, the Supreme Court has sought responses from the Central government, the National Testing Agency (NTA), and others on various petitions, including those seeking the cancellation of the NEET-UG exam and a court-monitored investigation. The top court has also put a stay on proceedings in similar petitions in various high courts.
The NEET-UG exam, conducted by the NTA on May 5, saw the participation of over 23 lakh candidates at 4,750 centers in 571 cities across the country, including 14 cities abroad. The results revealed that 67 students had scored a perfect 720, with six of them from a center in Haryana's Faridabad, raising suspicions of irregularities.
There was also a controversy surrounding the awarding of grace marks to students at six centers to make up for the loss of time. However, the Center later informed the Supreme Court that the grace marks would be scrapped, and the 1,563 students would be given the option of a retest.
NEET-UG is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in both government and private institutions in the country. In light of the recent discrepancies in competitive exams, the Center took the decision to remove NTA Director General Subodh Singh and set up a seven-member panel to review the agency's functioning and recommend exam reforms. The NEET-PG entrance exam, which was scheduled for a later date, has also been postponed.
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